Screening for lung cancer: what have we learned?

Abstract

The purposes of this article are to briefly review the history of lung cancer screening, discuss the results and implications of the National Lung Screening Trial, and address some of the questions that remain since the publication of this landmark study. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and the world. The National Lung Screening Trial showed a 20% reduction in lung cancer mortality among individuals at high risk undergoing low-dose CT. The findings opened the door for clinical lung cancer screening and publication of lung cancer screening guidelines. However, many questions remain, including whom to screen, how often, and for how long. Furthermore, costs and effects on the health care system remain unclear.